Cable closure injection sealed with organoborane amine complex

ABSTRACT

An end seal for a cable splice closure includes a core portion having a slot for receiving a cable. A tail portion, extending from the core portion, is of sufficient length and flexibility to be extended over the slot. An adhesive injection port is provided in the core portion to communicate an adhesive injected into the injection port to the slot to bond into a sealed unit the surfaces of the end seal and the cable to be received. The adhesive is a low surface energy adhesive based on acrylic monomers with organoborane amine complexes.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/784,485 filed Jan. 17,1997 now parented as U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,433 on Jun. 15, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sealing a cable spliceclosure with a low surface energy adhesive and more particularly toinjecting the adhesive into end seals used with such closures.

There are various methods for joining or splicing communication cableends together. In so doing, there are many important considerations suchas the use of compatible materials, how many cables are being spliced,is the spliced cable to be buried in soil, immersed in water orsuspended in the air, what heat source is required to make the joint,i.e., flammable gasses, will the splice need to be reopened and remadewithout interruption of working circuits, will the joint have sufficientmechanical strength and is the cost feasible?

Communication cables are typically constructed of a conductor bundle,surrounded by a metal strength and interference sheathing and an outerprotective coating, typically of a low surface energy material such aspolyethylene. When such cables are spliced and rejoined, the strengthand integrity of the rejoined cable is critical. An enclosure or aclosure body is used to sealingly surround the splice. The closure bodyis also typically formed of a low surface energy material.

One persistent problem in the use of splice closures involves the needfor a complete seal about the splice or closure body. Many prior artsplice closures accomplish sealing by providing a complex array of nutsand bolts, clamps, gaskets and heat shrink tubing, as well as pottinggels and resins, in various combinations. Besides the fact that theseclosure methods require significant assembly time, the closures stilloften suffer leaks or ruptures, particularly along their seals. Thisproblem is even more acute at the end seal where the closure is sealedto the cable jacket, and where even the slightest defect can result inthe migration of moisture along the jacket or the inner surface of theclosure. A lack of a complete (hermetic) seal can also be particularlydetrimental for pressurized closures. Occasionally, these closures mustbe re-entered and re-spliced. Typically, however, re-entry into aclosure requires disturbing the end seal which is sealed to the cableand the closure. Therefore, re-sealing after re-entry becomes an acuteproblem.

Although these seals may be strengthened by the use of adhesives, theadhesive bonds formed are normally weak due to the low surface energy ofthe material of the closure, the end seals and cables, typicallypolyethylene. End seals can be used with a fusion bond and with hotmelts as an alternative bonding material. Hot melt is placed between theresistance wires, and the wires are heated to form a bond between thecables and the end seal surfaces. Hot melt bonding can be used withdifferent end seal materials such as foams, elastomers andthermoplastics, but the bond strength is weaker than a fusion bond seal.

Adhesive bonding or the achievement of adhesion of coatings to lowsurface energy polymeric materials has been a technological problemsince the inception of the use of such materials in industry. There aremany descriptions of the problems with the adhesive bonding of lowenergy surfaces. The difficulty with adhesive bonding of such materialsstems, in part, from the fact that these materials are deemed to be "vander Waals" solids. That is, the primary force for cohesion that isavailable between polymer chains is that due to van der Waals or"dispersion" forces. Low surface energy materials derive their strengthfrom molecular entanglements, cross-linking, crystallization or somecombination of these. The surface energy of a polymer is a reflection ofthe forces which hold the chains together and is therefore low for thesematerials. Examples of low surface energy polymers arepolytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicones, etc.

One criterion for adhesive bonding is that the adhesive must come intointimate contact with the substrate. That is, the adhesive mustcompletely "wet" the substrate. Low surface energy polymers are verydifficult to wet by polar liquids because the polar liquids have asurface energy that is higher than that of the substrate. Most highstrength adhesives are polar materials and hence their surface energy istoo high to wet the surface of most polymers. If the surface isincompletely wet by an adhesive, there is a greater chance forinterfacial voids and hence a weaker bond.

Another criterion for adhesive bonding is that the surface must be freeof weak boundary layers. Commercial plastics usually contain asubstantial amount of additives such as stabilizers and flow controlagents. Also, with free radically polymerized materials, there is also asubstantial fraction of low molecular weight polymer in addition to thehigh molecular weight portion. In general, these low molecular weightfractions exude to the surface and form weak boundary layers. Theselayers must be removed before the plastic can be effectively bonded orcoated.

There is a substantial science and technology developed around thesurface preparation of low surface energy plastics for adhesive bondingor coating. The methods which have been developed include flametreatment, corona discharge treatment, plasma treatment, oxidation byozone, oxidation by oxidizing acids, sputter etching as well as coatingwith higher surface energy materials. This last method is also known as"priming" and may have to be preceded by one of the physical methods(e.g., corona discharge treatment) in order to have the primer adherewell to the surface.

In general, the surface preparation methods described above act toincrease the surface energy of the polymer and/or eliminate weakboundary layers and may also increase surface roughness. The surfaceenergy of these plastics is usually increased by the introduction ofoxidized species into the surface. The elimination of weak boundarylayers may take place by crosslinking and/or ablation of the exudedspecies. There is usually a trade-off between the oxidation process andthe weak boundary layers removal process since over-oxidized materialsmay themselves form a weak boundary layer.

Very few of the methods described in the literature are useful for awide range of plastics. In general, the treatment method or the primingmeans is usually quite specific for the type of plastic used. This is asevere limitation for the general user of adhesive bonding since many ofthe physical methods of surface treatment require substantial capitalinvestment. Thus, there is a need for a simple, easy to use adhesivebonding method that is capable of adhering, without priming, to a widerange of plastics including those classed as "low surface energy"plastics.

An efficient, effective means for adhesively bonding low surface energyplastic substrates such as polyethylene and polypropylene has long beensought for the assembly and repair cable splice closures. Typically,such assembly and repair is performed in the field. Consequently, therehas been a considerable and long felt need for a simple, easy to useadhesive that can readily and effectively bond mating cable spliceclosure surfaces together as well as bonding communication cables to theend seals and bonding the end seals to the closure.

While an adhesive that can bond low surface energy plastics isadvantageous, the commercial utility of such an adhesive would beenhanced if the components of the adhesive were combined in a convenientmix ratio and could be easily carried to a job site and readily appliedusing conventional adhesive dispensers without the need for laboriouspremixing of the various components of the adhesive. Thus, there is notonly a need for an adhesive that can bond low surface energy plastics,but a need for such an adhesive that is pre-blended and can be easilycarried and readily applied without a material reduction in storagestability or performance.

Unfortunately, a suitable solution to the problems associated with easeof installation, seal integrity and strength, has not beensatisfactorily addressed by the prior art. Therefore, what is needed isan apparatus and a method for sealing cable splice closures with a lowsurface energy adhesive. It is also highly desirable to inject anadhesive for bonding the closure to the end seals and for bonding theend seals to the cable, and additionally providing apparatus toaccomplish this so that re-entry into the closure does not disturb theseal integrity of the cable, end seal and closure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention accordingly, provides an apparatus and method forsealing cable splice closures with a low surface energy adhesive byinjecting adhesive into the end seals. To this end, an end seal for acable splice closure includes a seal having an opening for receiving acable and has an adhesive injection port. The port is provided tocommunicate an adhesive injected into the port to bond surfaces of theend seal and the cable to be received, into a sealed unit.

A principal advantage of the present invention is that the end sealclosure system permits sealing of various diameter cables for newconstruction and existing applications. This system also allows forreentry of the closure without disturbing the end seals. The bondstrength of the adhesive at the end seal port area is improved to wherethe strength of the bond is substantially the same as the strength ofthe original material. This is in contrast to prior art devices whichrequired extra hardware to allow for tension, flexing and vibration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a wrap-typeend seal for use in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional end view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a wrap-typeend seal enclosed about a cable in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an embodiment of awrap-type end seal enclosed about a cable in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a cable spliceclosure for use with a wrap-type end seal in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is an isometric cut-away view illustrating an embodiment of acable splice having cable ends extending through wrap-type end seals inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an isometric cut-away view partially illustrating anembodiment of a cable splice closure in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a cable spliceclosure in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view partially illustrating an embodiment of acable splice closure housing and end seal in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view illustrating an embodiment of an end sealbody in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an embodiment of anend seal in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of aclosure flange in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is also a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of aclosure flange in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial exploded view illustrating an embodiment of a cablesplice closure housing an end seal in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating anembodiment of an end seal in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16. is an exploded view illustrating an embodiment of an end sealbody in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of an end sealbody in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a partial isometric view illustrating an embodiment of aclosure housing and end seal in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an embodiment of anend seal in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of an end sealwhich is formed to include trimmable washers.

FIG. 21 is a view taken along the line 21--21 of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a cablesplice closure including resistance wires for curing adhesive.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of a cablesplice closure including spring clips mounted on the flanges.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional end view illustrating the use of a tool toremove the spring clips.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is an isometric view of an end sealgenerally designated 15 formed of a polyolefin elastomer material andcomprising a body 18 including a core portion 20 and a tail portion 22.The core portion 20 is formed of a circular shape and has a plurality ofopenings 24 defined by areuate walls 25 which extend between a pair ofopposed ends 26. The walls 25 begin and end at an outer peripheralsurface 30 of the core portion 20 to form slot-like openingscommunicating with the openings 24 to permit the core portion 20 toreceive endless cables or wires. An inner surface 32 of the tail portion22 extends from one of the openings 24 generally tangential to the wall25 and from a position at the slotted opening. The tail portion 22 has agenerally uniform thickness and cross section along its length untilnear a free end 36 where its thickness begins to diminish or taper to afree edge to form a smooth transition to an outer surface 34 of itselfafter inner surface 32 is wrapped about the peripheral surface 30 of thecore portion 20 and the exposed portion, if any, of a wire or cabledisposed in each of the openings 24. An injection port 40 is provided incore portion 20.

Tail portion 22, FIG. 2, includes an adhesive groove 32a formed in anextending along inner surface 32 thereof. Also, tail portion 22 includesan adhesive groove 34a formed in and extending along outer surface 34thereof. Also formed in outer surface 34 are a pair of cable tie slots34b and 34c formed therein and extending therealong. The cable tie slots34b and 34c respectively extend substantially parallel to and onopposite sides of adhesive groove 34a.

End seal 15, FIG. 3, includes a cable 42 extending through one of theopenings 24. Openings 24 which are not needed for extending a cabletherethrough, i.e., when there are fewer cables than openings, can beplugged as is well known, or can be made with a plug 27 therein so thatthe plug can be removed to expose the opening 24 when required for cablepassage. End seal 15 is wrapped around cable 42 by wrapping tail portion22 about core portion 20.

An injection port 40, FIGS. 3 and 4, is provided to communicate anadhesive 44, injected into body 18, to adhesive groove 32a to bondmating surfaces of end seal 15 and an outer surface 42a of cable 42 intoa sealed unit. Thus, when tail portion 22 is wrapped around core portion20 after insertion of cable 42, inner surface 32 of tail portion 22engages surface 30 of core portion 20, and as tail portion 22 continuesto be wrapped, inner surface 32 engages outer surface 34 of tail portion22. Also, adhesive groove 32a is aligned with and overlays adhesivegroove 34a so that adhesive communicated to groove 32a communicates togroove 34a, where grooves 34a, 32a overlay. However, on the outermostwrap of tail portion 22, groove 34a is not overlayed by groove 32a andthus outermost groove 34a does not receive adhesive in this manner.Injection of adhesive 44 into port 40 can be accomplished by aconventional applicator 46 containing a pre-mix of components comprisingadhesive 44. Adhesive 44, as described herein, readily bonds with lowsurface energy plastics and is an acrylic monomer including organoboraneamine complexes. Cable ties, not shown, can be engaged around cable tieslots 34b, 34c to maintain tail portion 22 wrapped around core portion20 while adhesive 44 cures.

An elongated tubular cable splice closure housing 48, FIG. 5, is formedof a polyethylene material and includes a lengthwise slit 50 extendingfrom a first end 48a to a second end 48b. A channel 52 extendssubstantially along the length of an outer surface 54 of housing 48, andincludes a pair of right angle extensions 52a, 52b. Channel 52 includesan open face 56, revealed in the cut-away view in FIG. 7, along an innersurface 58 of housing 48, and also includes a pair of injection ports 60communicating with channel 52 and with channel extensions 52a, 52b, notshown in FIG. 7. Housing 48 is diametrically adjustable by beingradically compressed. As a result, a portion of outer surface 54 engagesa portion of inner surface 58 adjacent slit 50, so that open face 56 ofchannel 52 is in abutment with outer surface 54 of housing 48.

A cable splice 62 formed in cable 42, FIG. 6, includes a pair of spacedapart end seals 15 as described above. Grooves 34a are exposed on outersurface 34 of tail portion 22. Closure housing 48 is mounted over cablesplice 62, FIG. 8, such that ends 48a and 48b of closure housing 48engage end seals 15. Adhesive 44 injected by applicator 46 into channel52 via one of the ports 60, contacts surface 54 and flows intoextensions 52a, 52b which are provided to communicate adhesive 44 intogroove 34a. A pair of ties 64 can be tied around closure housing 48 tomaintain closure housing 48 engaged with end seals 15 while adhesive 44cures.

A cable splice closure, FIG. 9, includes a closure body 66 having anupper portion 68 and a lower portion 70, each being symmetricallyformed. Upper portion 68 includes a generally rectangular housingportion 72 having a continuous flange 74. A semi-circular opening 76formed at opposite ends of housing portion 72, but only shown at end72a, includes an arc-like portion 74a of continuous flange 74.Similarly, lower portion 70 is generally rectangular but is onlypartially shown. Lower portion 70 includes a generally rectangularhousing portion 78 having a continuous flange 80. A semicircular opening82 formed at opposite ends of housing portion 78, but only shown at end78a, includes an arc-like portion 80a of continuous flange 80. Eachflange, 74, 80, includes a continuous groove 74b, 80b, respectively.Flanges 74, 80 are provided to abut so that grooves 74b, 80b matinglyengage when upper portion 68 is mounted together with lower portion 70to form closure body 66. In this manner, a substantially circularopening is formed by the alignment of arc-like portions 74a, 80a whenends 72a, 78a are joined. Also, as stated above, a similar opening (notshown) is formed at an opposite end of body 66. Also, it should beunderstood that each opposite end may include a plurality of openings.

An end seal body 84, FIGS. 9 and 10, is partially mounted in upperportion 68 and partially mounted in lower portion 70 and includes anupper collar 86 and a lower collar 88. Each collar 86, 88 issubstantially semi-circular and includes a respective flange 86a, 88a.Upper collar 86 also includes an injection port 90. When collars 86, 88are joined, FIGS. 10, 11, they form a cylinder 91 having circular outersurface 92 and a circular inner surface 94 which defines a chamber 96having opposed annular openings 98, 100. Each annular opening 98, 100includes a trimmable sealing washer 102 mounted therein for enclosingchamber 96. Washer 102 includes a plurality of concentric ringsselectively removable to accommodate various diameter cables to extendtherethrough. Cable 42 may be extended through washers 102, which arespaced apart and seated in end seal body 84. Chamber 96 may be filledwith adhesive 44 by means of applicator 46 via port 90. Upper portion 68and lower portion 70, FIG. 9, may be sealed together by a gasket nestedin mating grooves 74b, 80b. The adhesive 44 bonds the end seal collars86, 88, washers 102 and cable 42 into a sealed unit. Also, the adhesive44 bonds end seal body 84 within the opening formed by arc-like portions74a, 80a due to an adhesive slot 75 permitting adhesive 44 to flow fromchamber 96. This is due to the fact that adhesive 44 readily bonds withlow surface energy plastics forming the cable closure body 66, the endseal body 84, washers 102 and outer surface 42a of cable 42.

Alternatively, upper portion 68 and lower portion 70 may be sealedtogether by a multiple seal closure, FIGS. 12 and 13. In thisembodiment, flanges 74, 80 may include a dual channel adhesive groove topermit reentry into a closure body. This is accomplished by applyingadhesive 44 in a first or outside groove 104 for bonding flanges 74, 80together. When re-entry is needed, flanges 74, 80 can be trimmed atnotches 106 thus removing the bonded portion of flanges 74, 80. Whenwork is completed, adhesive 44 is applied in a second or inside groove108 and flanges 74, 80 are again bonded together.

Another cable splice closure, FIGS. 14 and 15, includes a closure body110 having an upper portion (not shown) and a lower portion 112. In theembodiment of FIG. 14, an opening or openings for cable end seals isonly formed in the lower portion 112. Otherwise, the upper and lowerportions of closure body 110 are substantially symmetrical. Lowerportion 112 is generally rectangular but only partially shown. Lowerportion 112 includes a generally rectangular housing portion 114 havinga continuous flange 116. A pair of semi-circular openings 118 are formedat opposite ends of housing portion 114, but only shown at end 114a andeach includes an arc-like portion 120 terminating at flange 116 andincluding a pair of spaced apart, parallel shoulders 122. A port block124, includes a semi-circular arc-like portion 124a and a pair of spacedapart, parallel shoulders 126. Also, a planar face 128 of port block 124is provided so that when port block 124 is seated opening 118 andshoulders 126 engage shoulders 122, planar face 128 is seated flush witha surface 116a of flange 116. The combination of port block 124 seatedin opening 118 forms an end seal body 125 including cylindrical chamber130, FIG. 15, having annular open ends 132. A pair of spaced aparttrimmable washers 134, as previously described, are mounted in annularopen ends 132 for enclosing chamber 130. Cable 42 may extend throughwashers 134 which are spaced apart and seated in end seal body 125.Chamber 130 may be filled with adhesive 44 by means of an applicator 136via an adhesive injection port 138 formed in port block 124. Closurebody 110 may be sealed closed by either gaskets or by adhesive 44 asmentioned above. The adhesive 44 bonds port block 124 in opening 118along with washers 134 and cable 42 into a sealed unit. This is due toadhesive 44 readily bonding with the low surface energy plastics formingthe cable closure body 110, the end seal body 125, washers 134 and theouter surface 42a of cable 42.

Another end seal, FIG. 16, to be used with a lower portion 140 of acable closure body is mounted in an arc-like semicircular opening 142,including an adhesive slot 143, adjacent a flange 144. In thisembodiment, an end seal body 146 includes an upper portion 148 and alower portion 150. Upper portion 148 includes an adhesive slot 149 whichcommunicates adhesive to slot 143. A planar face 152 of upper portion148 is provided so that when end seal body 146 is seated insemi-circular opening 142, FIG. 17, planar face 152 is seated flush witha surface 144a of flange 144.

The combination of end seal body 146 seated in semi-circular opening 142forms a cylindrical chamber 154, FIG. 16, having annular open ends 156.A pair of spaced apart trmmable washers 158, as previously described,are mounted in annular open ends 156 for enclosing chamber 154. Cable 42may extend through washers 158 which are spaced apart and seated in endseal body 146. Chamber 154 may be filled with adhesive 44 via anadhesive injection port 160 formed in upper portion 148. An upperportion (not shown) of the cable closure body may be sealed closed withlower portion 140 by either gaskets or by adhesive 44 as mentionedabove. The adhesive 44 bonds upper portion 148 and lower portion 150 ofend seal body 146 in semicircular opening 142 along with washers 158 andcable 42 into a sealed unit. This is due to adhesive 44 readily bondingwith low surface energy plastics forming the cable closure body portion140, the end seal body 146, washers 158 and the outer surface 42a ofcable 42.

A further end seal, FIG. 18, to be used with a lower portion 162 of acable closure body includes cylindrical end seal body 164 formed withone end 162a of lower portion 162. Also, a similar end seal body, notshown, is formed at an opposite end of lower portion 162. Cylindricalend seal body 164 forms a cylindrical chamber 166, FIG. 19, havingannular open ends 168. A pair of spaced apart trimmable washers 170, aspreviously described, are mounted in annular open ends 168 for enclosingchamber 166. Cable 42 may extend through washers 170 which are spacedapart and seated in end seal body 164. Chamber 166 may be filled withadhesive 44 via an adhesive injection port 172 formed in cylindricalbody 164 by means of an applicator 174. An upper portion (not shown) ofthe cable closure body may be sealed closed with lower portion 162 byeither gaskets or by adhesive 44 as mentioned above. The adhesiveinjected into port 172 bonds washers 170 and cable 42 into a sealedunit. This is due to adhesive 44 rapidly bonding with low surface energyplastics forming the cable closure body portion 162, the washers 170 andouter surface 42a of cable 42.

Another end seal body 180, FIG. 20 combines a trimmable washer 182 andan adhesive injection port 184. Washer 182 includes an outer bodyhousing 186 which is cylindrical. A plurality of trimmable concentricwasher rings 182a, 182b and 182c extend from a core 188 and areselectively removable to receive cable 42 therethrough. A selectedwasher ring is removed to match the diameter of the cable to bereceived. Injection port 184 extends from an outer body housing 186 andthrough each of the rings 182a, 182b and 182c extending from core 188.As it can be seen in FIG. 21, a pair of spaced apart sealing washers 190of a size sufficient to engage outer surface 42a of cable 42 and alsoengage an inner diameter 192 of ring 182c. In this manner, adhesive 44introduced into port 184 flows into a chamber 194 defined by cable 42,washers 190 and inner diameter 192 of ring 182c. The adhesive sointroduced, bonds end seal body 180, cable 42 and washers 190 into asealed unit. This is due to adhesive 44 rapidly bonding with low surfaceenergy plastics forming the end seal body 180, washers 190 and outersurface 42a of cable 42. An end seal body such as that designated 180could, for example, be sealed with adhesive 44 in a cylindrical chambersimilar to the chamber designated 166 in FIG. 19.

The use of adhesives in the utility and communications industries hasnot been widely accepted, primarily due to the slow cure of adhesives atcold temperatures. To effectively address this issue, the concept of aresistive heating element 200, FIG. 22, in conjunction with adhesive 44has been developed. This concept involves the use of resistive heatingelement 200, powered by a portable energy source to assist in curing abead of adhesive 44 set on a mating surface 202 of a mating flange 204of one-half portion of a cable splice closure body 206, the other halfportion of the closure body 206 not being shown. This is similar to theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The adhesive 44, FIG. 22, andheating element 200 may be extended along semi-circular portions 208 offlange 204 for sealing cables therein. Thus, when both portions of body206 are mated and sealed together at flange 204, cables can also besealed in portions 208 of closure body 206. In theory, any form ofresistive heating element 200 may be used to aid in curing adhesive 44by embedding the element 200 into the flange 204, on the surface 202 offlange 204 or into adhesive bead 44. Using a direct current (DC) powersupply (not shown) and nichrome based heating element 200, curing ofadhesive 44 can be enhanced.

As was mentioned previously, gaskets are often used to seal a jointbetween closure body halves. This is accomplished by inserting a gasketbetween mating flanges of such a closure. Sealing is critical since theclosures are often used in hostile environments subject to moisture andother contamination. Thus, an airtight and a water tight seal iscritical. Gasket seals are common for easy re-entry splice closures.Such re-entry is intended not to disturb existing cables. Such closuresare often sealed with mastic or a one-piece perimeter gasket. Fastenersare often used which pass through the flanges. Special tools or wrenchesare often required for re-entry. According to FIGS. 23 and 24, resilientspring clips 220 can be used as quick release clamping devices for cableclosures. A closure body 222 includes upper portion 222a and lowerportion 222b, sealingly engaged at mating flanges 224, 226. A sealinggasket 228, FIG. 24, is compressed between flanges 224, 226. Springclips 220 include an arcuate portion 220a terminating at ends 220b whichclamp onto flanges 224, 226 and urge the flanges toward each other tosealingly compress gasket 228 therebetween. When removal of clips 220 isrequired, a plurality of openings 230 in clips 220 provide for a simpletool 232 such as a screwdriver, to be inserted thereinto and engagedwith flanges 224, 226. A rotation of tool 232, FIG. 24, in a directionindicated by an arrow designated R, urges clip 220 out of engagementwith flanges 224, 226. The clips 220 are also useful to relieve excesspressure during flash testing, which is a process to determine if therehave been any leaks created during assembly of the closure.

Material selection for the end seals and cable closures of the presentinvention requires good bonding capabilities to provide proper sealingas well as providing resistance to contamination, moisture and pressure.Bonding of surfaces to be sealed involves bonding of adhesive 44 topolyethylene cable jackets and to end seal bodies, cable closure bodiesand trimmable washers which may be used. As such, polyolefin elastomersare suitable materials for the washers, end seal bodies and cableclosure bodies, and of that group, the flexible ethylene alphaolefincopolymer sold under the name ENGAGE by the Dow Chemical of Midland,Mich. is preferred.

Material selection for the adhesive 44 utilizes polymerizable acryliccompositions that incorporate polymerization initiator systems based onorganoborane amine complexes. The compositions are particularly usefilas sealants and/or encapsulants for use with splice enclosures and thelike, especially those which are manufactured from low surface energymaterials (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene,etc.) or which are used with cables sheathed with such materials.

Broadly, the polymerizable compositions comprise a polymerizationinitiator system and at least one acrylic monomer capable of freeradical polymerization. The polymerization initiator systems compriseorganoborane amine complex and a material that is reactive with theamine for liberating the organoborane. The organoborane component of thecomplex initiates free radical polymerzation of acrylic monomer to forman acrylic polymer that can be useful as a sealant or encapsulant. Tostabilize the organoborane against premature oxidation, it is complexedwith amine. The organoborane is liberated from the complex by reactingthe amine portion of the complex with the amine-reactive material.

Useful organoborane amine complexes may be readily prepared using knowntechniques and preferably have the following general structure: ##STR1##where R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R2 and R3are independently selected from alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atomsand phenyl-containing groups. More preferably, R1, R2 and R3 are alkylgroups having 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl,iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, and pentyl. Most preferred are complexesin which R1, R2 and R3 are each ethyl groups.

The value of v is selected so as to provide an effective ratio ofprimary amine nitrogen atoms to boron atoms in the complex. The primaryamine nitrogen atom to boron atom ratio in the complex is broadly about1:1 to 4:1. Preferably, however, the ratio is about 1:1 to 2:1, morepreferably about 1:1 to 1.5:1, and most preferably about 1:1. A primaryamine nitrogen atom to boron atom ratio of less than 1:1 could leavefree organoborane, a material that tends to be pyrophoric. At primaryamine nitrogen atom to boron atom ratios in excess of 2:1, the practicalutility of the complex diminishes as the amount of complex that must beemployed becomes larger.

"Am" represents the amine portion of the complex and may be provided bya wide variety of materials having at least one amine group, includingblends of different amines. More preferably, "Am" is a polyamine (amaterial having two or more amine groups). While polyamines having twoto four amine groups are especially preferred, polyamines with two aminegroups (i.e., diamines) are most preferred.

"Am" may be a primary or secondary monoamine, such as those representedby the structure: ##STR2## wherein R4 and R5 are independently selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl groups having 1 to 10carbon atoms, and alkylaryl groups in which the amine group is notdirectly attached to the aryl structure. Particular examples of theseamines include ammonia, ethylamine, butylamine, hexylamine, octylamine,and benzylamine.

The amine may also be a polyamine such as those described by thestructure H2N-R6-NH2 in which R6 is a divalent, organic radicalcomprised of an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group. Preferred among thesematerials are alkane diamines which may be branched or linear, andhaving the general structure: ##STR3## in which x is a whole numbergreater than or equal to 1, more preferably about 2 to 12, and R7 ishydrogen or an alkyl group, preferably methyl. Particularly preferredexamples of alkane diamines include 1,2-ethanediamine,1,3-propanediamine, 1,5-pentanediamine, 1,6-hexanediamine,1,12-dodecanediamine, 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine,3-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine, and isomers of these materials. Whilealkane diamines are preferred, other alkyl polyamines may be used suchas triethylene tetraamine and diethylene triamine.

Useful polyamines may also be provided by a polyoxyalkylenepolyamine.Polyoxyalkylenepolyamines suitable in making complexes may be selectedfrom the following structures:

    H2NR8(R9O)w-(R10O)x-(R9O)y-R8NH2

(i.e., polyoxyalkylene diamines); or

    [H2NR8-(R9O)w]z-R11.

R8, R9 and R10 are alkylene groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and maybe the same or may be different. Preferably, R8 is an alkyl group having2 to 4 carbon atoms such as ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl oriso-butyl. Preferably, R9 and R10 are alkyl groups having 2 or 3 carbonatoms such as ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl. R11 is the residue of apolyol used to prepare the polyoxyalkylenepolyamine (i.e., the organicstructure that remains if the hydroxyl groups are removed.) R11 may bebranched or linear, and substituted or unsubstituted (althoughsubstituents should not interfere with oxyalkylation reactions).

The value of w is ≧1, more preferably about 1 to 150, and mostpreferably about 1 to 20. Structures in which w is 2, 3 or 4 are usefultoo. the value of x and y are both ≧0. The value of z is >2, morepreferably 3 or 4 (so as to provide, respectively, polyoxyalkrlenetriamines and tetraamines). For the polyoxyalkylene, molecular weightsof less than about 5,000 may be used, although molecular weights ofabout 1,000 or less are more preferred, and molecular weights of about250 to 1,000 are most preferred.

Examples of particularly preferred polyoxyalkylenepolyamines includepolyethyleneoxidediamine, polypropyleneoxidediamine,polypropyleneoxidetriamine, diethyieneglycolpropylenediamine,triethyleneglycolpropylenediamine, polytetramethyleneoxidediamine,polyethyleneoxide-co-polypropyleneoxidediamine, andpolyethyleneoxide-co-polypropyleneoxidetriamine.

Examples of suitable commercially available polyoxyalkylenepolyaminesinclude various JEFFAMINES from Huntsman Chemical Company such as the D,ED, and EDR series diamines (e.g., D-400, D-2000, D-5000, ED-600,ED-900, ED-2001, and EDR-148), and the T series triamines (e.g., T-403),as well as DCA-221 from Dixie Chemical Company.

The polyamine may also comprise the condensation reaction product ofdiprimary amine-terminated material (i.e., the two terminal groups areprimary amine) and one or more materials containing at least two groupsreactive with primary amine (referred to herein at times as"difunctional primary amine-reactive material"). Such materials arepreferably substantially linear so as to have the following generalstructure E-(L-E)u-L-E in which each E is the residue of the diprimaryamine-terminated material and each L is a linking group that is theresidue of the difunctional primary amine-reactive material. (By"residue" is meant those portions of the diprimary amine-terminatedmaterial and the difunctional primary amine-reactive material thatremain after reaction to form the polyamine adduct.) The E and L groupsare independently selected. The majority (more than 50%) of the terminalgroups in the polyamine should be primary amine. Consequently, the valueof u may be greater than or equal to zero, although a value of about 0to 5 is more preferred, and a value of 0 or 1 is most preferred.

The diprimary amine-terminated material may be alkyl diprimary amine,aryl diprimary amine, alkylaryl diprimary amine, apolyoxyalkylenediamine (such as those described above), or mixturesthereof. Useful alkyl diprimary amines include those having thestructure NH2-R12-NH2 wherein R12 is a linear or branched alkyl grouphaving about 1 to 12 carbon atoms such as 1,3-propane diamine,1,6hexanediamine, and 1,12-dodecanediamine. Other useful alkyl diprimaryamines include triethylene tetraamine and diethylene triamine. Examplesof useful aryl diprimary amines include 1,3- and 1,4-phenylene diamineas well as the various isomers of diaminonaphthalene. An example of auseful alkylaryl diprimary amine is m-tetramethylxylene diamine.

Difunctional primary amine-reactive materials used to prepare thepolyamine contain at least two groups reactive with primary amine. Thereactive groups may be different, but it is preferred that they be thesame. Difunctional primary amine-reactive materials having afunctionality of 2 (i.e., two groups reactive with primary amine) arepreferred. Useful difunctional primary amine-reactive materials may begenerally represented by the formula Y-R13-Z wherein R13 is a divalentorganic radical such as an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group or combinationthereof, and Y and Z are groups reactive with primary amine and whichmay be the same or may be different. Examples of useful Y and Z groupsreactive with primary amine include carboxylic acid (--COOH), carboxylicacid halide (--COX, where X is a halogen, for example chlorine), ester(--COOR), aldehyde (--COH), epoxide ##STR4## amine alcohol (--NHCH20H),and acrylic.

Suitable carboxylic acid-functional materials are preferably those whichare useful in forming polyamides, for example,cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and dicarboxylic acids having thestructure HOOC-R14-COOH in which R14 is a linear alkyl group havingabout 2 to 21 carbon atoms. Aromatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g.,terephthalic and isophthalic acids) may be used as can alkylaryldicarboxylic acids, especially in combination with alkyl dicarboxylicacids. Useful carboxylic acid halide-functional materials andester-functional materials include those which are obtained byderivatizing the above-described carboxylic acid-functional materials.Suitable aldehyde-functional materials include alkyl, aryl and alkylaryldialdehydes such as oxaldehyde propanedialdehyde, succinaldehyde,adipaldehyde, 2-hydroxyhexanedial, phthalaldehyde,1,4,benzenediacetaldehyde, 4,4(ethylenedioxy) dibenzaldehyde, and2,6-naphthalene dicarbaldehyde. Most preferred are glutaraldehyde andadipaldehyde. Suitable epoxide-functional materials include aliphatic,cycloaliphatic and glycidyl ether diepoxides. Most preferred are thediepoxides based upon bis-phenol A and bis-phenol F. Usefulacrylic-functional materials are preferably diacrylates and a widevariety of such materials may be successfully employed.

The organoborane amine complex is employed in an effective amount, whichis an amount large enough to permit acrylic monomer polymerization toreadily occur to obtain an acrylic polymer of high enough molecularweight for the desired end use but without polymerization proceeding toorapidly to allow for effective mixing and use of the resultingcomposition. Within these parameters, an effective amount of theorganoborane amine complex is an amount that preferably provides about0.03 to 1.5 weight % boron, more preferably about 0.08 to 0.5 weight %boron, most preferably and about 0.1 to 0.3 weight % boron. The weight %of boron in a composition is based on the total weight of thecomposition, less fillers, non-reactive diluents, and other non-reactivematerials.

As noted above, the organoborane amine complexes of the invention areespecially useful for initiating the polymerization of acrylic monomers.The polymerization initiator system comprises an effective amount of theorganoborane amine complex and an effective amount of a compound that isreactive with amine for liberating organoborane so as to initiatepolymerization. A wide variety of materials may be used to provide theamine reactive compound. Desirable amine reactive compounds are thosematerials that can readily form reaction products with amines at orbelow (and, more preferably, at) room temperature (about 20° to 22° C.)so as to provide a composition that can be easily used and cured underambient conditions. General classes of useful amine reactive compoundsinclude acids, anhydrides and aldehydes. Isocyanate, acid chloride,sulfonyl chloride, and the like such as isophorone diisoyanate, toluenediisocyanate and methacryloyl chloride may also be used but are lesspreferred because they require scrupulous drying of monomer mixturescontaining these ingredients so as to preclude undesirable, prematurereaction with moisture.

Acids are a preferred amine reactive compound. Any acid that canliberate the organoborane by salting the amine group may be employed.Useful acids include Lewis acids (e.g., SnC14, TiC14 and the like) andBronsted acids such as those having the general formula R18-COOH, whereR18 is hydrogen, an alkenyl group of 1 to 8 and preferably 1 to 4 carbonatoms, or an aryl group of 6 to 10, preferably 6 to 8 carbon atoms. Thealkenyl groups may comprise a straight chain or they may be branched.They may be saturated or unsaturated. The aryl groups may containsubstituents such as alkyl, alkoxy or halogen moieties. Illustrativeacids of this type include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acetic acid,benzoic acid, and p-methoxybenzoic acid. Other useful Bronsted acidsinclude Hcl, H2SO4, H3PO4, phosphoric acid, phosphinic acid, silicicacid, and the like.

Also preferred as the amine reactive compound are materials having atleast one anhydride group, such materials preferably having one of thefollowing structures: ##STR5## or ##STR6## R19 and R20 are organicradicals which independently may be aliphatic, including straight- andbranched-chain arrangements that may be saturated or unsaturated,cycloaliphatic, or aromatic. Preferred aliphatic groups comprise 1 to 17carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 9 carbon atoms. Preferred aromaticgroups include benzene which may be substituted with 1 to 4 carbon atomaliphatic groups.

R21 is a divalent organic radical that completes a cyclic structure withthe anhydride group to form, for example, a 5 or 6-membered ring. R21may be substituted with aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic groups,preferably aliphatic groups comprising 1 to 12, more preferably 1 to 4carbon atoms. R21 may also contain heteroatoms such as oxygen ornitrogen provided that any heteroatom is not adjacent to the anhydridefunctionality. R21 may also be part of a cycloaliphatic or aromaticfused ring structure, either of which may be optionally substituted withaliphatic groups. The presence of a free-radically polymerizable groupin the anhydride-functional amine reactive compound may permit the sameto polymerize with the acrylic monomers.

Aldehydes useful as the amine-reactive compound have the formula:R22-(CHO)x where R22 is an alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms,preferably 1 to 4, or an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms,preferably 6 to 8, and x is 1 to 2, preferably 1. In this formula, thealkyl groups may be straight or branch-chained, and may containsubstituents such as halogen, hydroxy and alkoxy. The aryl groups maycontain substituents such as halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl and nitro.The preferred R22 group is aryl. Illustrative examples of compounds ofthis type include, benzaldehyde, o-, m- and p-nitrobenzaldehyde,2,4-dichlorobenzaldehyde, p-tolylaldehyde and3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde. Blocked aldehydes such as acetals mayaso be used.

The amine reactive compound is employed in an effective amount; that is,an amount effective to promote polymerization by liberating organoboranefrom the complex, but without materially adversely affecting theproperties of the ultimate polymerized composition (e.g., adhesion tolow energy surfaces). Within these parameters, the amine reactivecompound may be provided in an amount wherein the number of amine groupsin the organoborane amine complex. However, it is much more preferredthat the number of equivalents of amine reactive groups bestoichiometric with the number of amine groups in the organoborane aminecomplex.

As noted before, the organoborane amine complex initiator systems areused to polymerize acrylic monomers. By "acrylic monomer" is meantpolymerizable monomers having one or more acrylic or substituted acrylicmoieties, chemical groups or functionality; that is, groups having thegeneral structure: ##STR7## H2C═C--C--O--R' wherein R is hydrogen or anorganic radical and R' is an organic radical. Where R and R' are organicradicals, they may be the same or they may be different. Blends ofacrylic monomers may also be used. The polymerizable acrylic monomer maybe monofunctional, polyfunctional or a combination thereof.

The most useful mononers are monofunctional acrylate and methacrylateesters and substituted derivatives thereof such as hydroxy, amide,cyano, chloro, and silane derivatives as well as blends of substitutedand unsubstituted monofunctional acrylate and methacrylate esters.Particularly preferred monomers include lower molecular weightmethacrylate esters such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate,methoxy ethyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydropropylmethacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate,and blends thereof.

Both acrylate esters and higher molecular weight methacrylate esters areless preferred for use alone, but can be especially usefully employed asmodifying monomers with predominating amounts of lower molecular weightmethacrylate esters so as to, for example, enhance the softness orflexibility of the ultimate composition. Examples of such acrylateesters and higher molecular weight methacrylate esters include methylacrylate, ethyl acrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, hydroxypropylacrylate, butyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate,2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, decyl methacrylate, dodecyl methacrylate,tert-butyl methacrylate, acrylamide, N-methyl acrylamide, diacetoneacrylamide, N-tert-butyl acrylamide, N-tert-octyl acrylide,N-butoxyacrylamide, gamma-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane,2-cyanoethyl acrylate, 3-cyanopropyl acrylate, tetrahydrofurfurylchloroacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, and the like.

Another class of polymerizable monomers that are especially useful asmodifiers correspond to the general formula: ##STR8## R23 may beselected from the group consisting of hydrogen methyl, ethyl, and##STR9## R24 may be selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,chlorine, methyl and ethyl. R25 may be selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, and ##STR10## The value of a is an integergreater than or equal to 1, more preferably, from 1 to about 8, and mostpreferably from 1 to 4. The integral value of b is greater than or equalto 1, more preferably, from 1 to about 20. The value of c is 0 or 1.Other acrylic monomers useful as modifying monomers, include ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycoldiacrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diglycerol diacrylate,diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate,trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, as well as other polyetherdiacrylates and dimethacrylates. Also useful are dimethacrylate ofbis(ethylene glycol) adipate, dimethacrylate of bis(ethylene glycol)maleate, dimethacrylate of bis(ethylene glycol) phthalate,dimethacrylate of bis(tetraethylene glycol) phthalate, dimethacrylate ofbis(tetraethylene glycol) sebacate, dimethacrylates of bis(tetraethyleneglycol) maleate, and the diacrylates and chloroacrylates correspondingto the dimethacrylates, and the like. Other useful acrylic monomersinclude the reaction product of mono- or polyisocyanates, for example,toluene diisocyanate, with an acrylate ester containing a hydroxy or anamino groups in the non-acrylate portion thereof, for example,hydroxyethyl methacrylate.

The compositions may further comprise a variety of optional additivessuch as thickeners, elastomeric materials (e.g., graft copolymerresins), acrylic crosslinking agents, peroxides, inhibitors such ashydroquinone, non-reactive colorants, fillers (e.g., carbon black), etc.The various optional additives are employed in an amount that does notsignificantly adversely affect the polymerization process or the desiredproperties of compositions made therewith.

The organoborane amine complex may be carried by (e.g., dissolved in ordiluted by) and aziridine-functional material or a blend of two or moredifferent aziridine-functional materials. The aziridine-functionalmaterial should not be reactive toward, coordinate or complex the amineportion of the complex and functions as an extender for the complex. Theaziridine-functional material may also function as a reactive extenderif the composition includes an ingredient that undergoes a ring-openingreaction with the aziridine functionality so as to permit theaziridine-functional material to react therewith or to polymerize withother constituents of the system. Advantageously, the amine reactivecompound can also react with the aziridine-functional material so as toyield a 100% reactive system.

An "aziridine-functional material" refers to an organic compound havingat least one aziridine ring or group, ##STR11## the carbon atom(s) ofwhich may be optionally substituted by short chain alkyl groups, e.g.,groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and preferably methyl, ethyl orpropyl, so as to form, for example methyl, ethyl or propyl aziridinemoieties.

Mono-functional aziridines in which a single aziridine group is asubstituent in an alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, acyl, or aroryl radical (whichoptionally may be substituted with other moieties that do not react withthe organoborane amine complex or the aziridine functionality such asamino and hydroxyl groups) may be employed. Particular examples ofsuitable mono-functional aziridines include N-ethyl aziridine,N-(2-cyanoethyl)aziridine, N-butyl aziridine, iso-butyl aziridine,2-aziridinyl ethanol, 1-aziridinyl ethanol, 1-iso-butyryl aziridine, and1-butyryl aziridine.

While mono-functional aziridines are useful, polyfunctional aziridines(sometimes referred to herein as "polyaziridines"; i.e., having morethan aziridine group) are more preferred as they can promote the in situgeneration of a crosslinking agent. Of the various polyaziridines, thosewhich are tri-functional are especially useful. Tris-aziridine andtris-methylaziridine of trimethylol propane triacrylate, andtris-aziridine and tris-methylaziridine of pentaerythritol triacrylateare particularly preferred. Examples of useful, commercially availablepolyaziridines include CX-100 (from Zeneca Resins), XAMA-7 (from EIT,Inc.), and MAPO (tris[1-(2-methyl) aziridinyl] phosphine oxide (fromAceto Corp).

The polymerizable compositions can be easily used as two-partcompositions. The acrylic monomers are blended as would normally be donewhen working with such materials. The amine-reactive compound is usuallyincluded in this blend so as to separate it from the organoborane aminecomplex, thus providing one part of the two-part composition. Theorganoborane amine complex provides the second part of the composition.Advantageously, the two parts of the polymerizable composition arecapable of being combined in a common, whole number mix ratio such as10:1 or less, more preferably 1:4, 1:3, 1:2 or 1:1. The first and secondparts are combined shortly before it is desired to use the composition.

The use of a low surface energy adhesive in the applications discussedherein offers many advantages. Easy re-entry to splice closure housingsis an important feature and is realized by the clamp device disclosedherein. Also, in any closure which is gasket sealed for re-entry, thelow surface energy end sealing disclosures herein permits re-entrywithout disrupting the cable end seals. The end seal closures describedherein permit sealing of various cable diameters for new and existingconstruction using the same components. A smooth and uniform gasketsealing surface is provided. The bond strength of the adhesive at theend seal port area obviates the need for extra hardware for addingtensile, flexing and vibration strength. This reduces cost and assemblytime. No torch or heat is required for assembly, so that the closuredevices can be used in manholes, vaults and trenches.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, a wide range of modification, change and substitution iscontemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, somefeatures of the present invention may be employed without acorresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate thatthe appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent withthe scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An end seal for a cable splice closure,comprising:a core portion having a slot therein, said slot being adaptedto receive a cable; a tail portion, extending from said core portion,said tail portion being of sufficient length and flexibility to beextended over said slot; and an adhesive injection port in said coreportion, said injection port being adapted to communicate an adhesiveinjected into said port to said slot,wherein said adhesive comprises anacrylic monomer and an organoborane amine complex.
 2. The end seal ofclaim 1, wherein said core portion has an outer peripheral surface andspaced ends, and wherein said peripheral surface is provided with aplurality of slots that extend between said ends and are open along saidperipheral surface to form apertures, each of said apertures beingadapted to receive a cable.
 3. The end seal of claim 2, wherein each ofsaid slots has an essentially circular cross-section.
 4. The end seal ofclaim 1, wherein said end seal comprises a low surface energy material.5. The end seal of claim 1, wherein said tail portion is provided with alongitudinal groove.
 6. The end seal of claim 5, wherein said groove isin open communication with said injection port.
 7. The end seal of claim1, wherein said slot comprises a plurality of trimmable concentricwashers selectively removable to receive a cable therethrough.
 8. Theend seal of claim 7, wherein the injection port extends through each ofsaid washers.